Jean Campaign – Day Eight

Campaign Map

 

Main French depot at Hellin – 9 days supplies

Spanish occupy Huelma
Spanish attack Ubeda
French retreat to Mortalalla
French attack Linares
Guerrilla brigades active

13th French army – attack Linares
14th French army – regroup and resupply at Jean
15th French army – retreat to Mortalalla

1st Spanish army – attack Ubeda
2nd Spanish army – regroup and resupply at Martos
3rd Spanish army – occupy Heulma

10 guerrilla attack convoy Hellin to Tobarra – fail no casualties

Second battle of Linares – Move 4

13th French Army commanded by Marshal Suchet attack Linares
1st Spanish army commanded by General Giron attack Ubeda

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply
They have lost 4 infantry and 1 cavalry battle casualties (1700 men)

Spanish have 13 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
They have lost 9 infantry, 1 cavalry and 1 artillery battle casualties (3800 men)

On 6 August Marshal Suchet was unable to take Linares, and retreated to Ubeda to regroup and resupply. General Giron remained at Linares to regroup and resupply. The Spanish had suffered more casualties than the French, but Giron was determined to follow up his victory and take Ubeda. Suchet was determined on a second attempt to take Linares. At first light the Spanish set off to take Ubeda, and the French to take Linares. Neither side was aware of the intentions of the other

On the left 1st Spanish corps took position in and around the farm, due to the slow French advance over the high ground. However 37th Young Guard corps cavalry and artillery were able to deploy between the hill and the farm, and cover the infantry deployment. The French took the farm, but were driven out by a Spanish counter attack. The Spanish held the farm at nightfall

In the centre 2nd Spanish corps reached the woods first, but 38th French corps reached the southern edge at about the same time. Neither side occupied the woods, but the French artillery caused the Spanish cavalry to rout. This allowed them to force the infantry into square, and their own infantry to take the woods. At nightfall the French held the woods

On the right 3rd Spanish corps occupied the two northern wooded sections by the time 39th Vistula corps reached the southern edge. There was a prolonged infantry melee for the woods, which the Poles finally won. The Spanish corps was smashed, and all five infantry brigades routed. At nightfall the Poles held the woods.

Having taken two of the three game objectives, and routed ten of the sixteen Spanish brigades, the French won the battle.

Comments

Despite the French having an elite guard corps, and fewer casualties than the Spanish, this was a very hard fought game. Both sides started with considerable casualties, and consequently both had very brittle morale. This caused both armies to fight a very cautious game.

Half way through the game the French artillery caused casualties to the Spanish cavalry in the centre, resulting in their rout. This allowed the French to push forward and force the Spanish artillery to withdraw. This in turn allowed the French infantry to attack the woods on the left and in the centre. They would eventually take both objectives.

The farm on the right was more difficult. The Spanish artillery had longer range than the French, and they were protected by heavy cavalry and a mass of infantry. So the young guard were reluctant to attack the area to the right of the farm. With the loss of the Spanish centre t he guard infantry were able to storm the farm and drive the Spanish out. The Spanish guns caused 20% casualties to the elite French infantry. The 1st Spanish grenadier’s then counter attacked and drove the weakened French infantry out. Their rout caused the supporting French infantry to withdraw. At nightfall the Spanish still held the farm.

But the Spanish army was broken. They had suffered very heavy casualties, and two of their three corps were in retreat or rout. At nightfall the Spanish commander ordered the third corps to abandon the farm and retreat. The French won the battle.

Always good fun to have such a close run wargame. On the last move there was a prolonged melee for the woods in the centre and on the left. All four brigades involved had 20% casualties, the loss of just one more would taken them down to 30%, which is an automatic rout. The Spanish only had to achieve 3 or more on their dice throw to achieve this. The first brigade rolled a one, the second a two. Both Spanish brigades fled with 30% casualties, both French brigades held with 20% casualties.

Only one more game to decide the winner of the campaign. It could easily go either way